{
  "id": 7668226,
  "title": "Seoul stocks open almost flat as investors digest external uncertainties",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/seoul-stocks-open-almost-flat-as-investors-digest-external",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:40:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260916002900320"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul's stock market began the day almost unchanged as investors refrained from action amid concerns over external uncertainties, such as the upcoming interest rate decision by the U.S. central bank and surging oil prices. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) started slightly lower, but by 9:15 a.m., it had risen 0.69 points, or 0.01 percent, to 6,627.95 points.\n\nAcross the Pacific, Wall Street's major indices reflected caution in the face of rising oil costs. The S&P 500 closed 0.45 percent lower, while the tech-focused Nasdaq dipped 0.78 percent. A significant blow to oil supplies came when a critical Saudi Arabian pipeline was targeted in an attack, causing it to go offline. Houthi rebels in Yemen seized additional islands along the Red Sea shipping lanes, adding to Middle Eastern tensions. This unrest has driven Brent Crude futures, a global oil benchmark, past $108 per barrel, driven by a 2 percent increase.\n\nU.S. Treasury yields also surpassed the 5 percent mark for the first time since July 2007, fueling expectations that the Federal Reserve would announce a rate hike during its September meeting. In Seoul, major companies had a mixed trading day. Samsung Electronics remained flat, whereas SK hynix gained 0.95 percent. Battery producer LG Energy Solution climbed 1.78 percent, while defense firm Hanwha Aerospace rose 0.28 percent. However, Hyundai Motor fell 1.23 percent.\n\nThe Korean won slipped against the U.S. dollar, trading at 1,365.8 won per dollar, a decline of 1.2 won from the previous trading session.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks opened almost flat Thursday as investor...",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul stocks open almost unchanged amid external uncertainties",
    "KOSPI rises 0.69 points to 6,627.95 points by 9:15 a.m.",
    "Oil prices surge past $108 per barrel, impacting markets"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Investors' caution in response to external uncertainties, such as rising oil prices and potential US interest rate hikes, is keeping Seoul's stock market in a holding pattern, affecting major companies' trading.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/7668226.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(URGENT) Seoul stocks open lower on external uncertainties, rising oil prices",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/urgent-seoul-stocks-open-lower-on-external-uncertainties-rising-oil",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:03:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul stocks open almost flat as investors digest external uncertainties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/seoul-stocks-open-almost-flat-as-investors-digest-external-7668876",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}